Arriving in Hampi.

06.10.11

This morning we had an early start. The taxi picked us up at 6am, because the

local bus did not run early enough to get us to Margao. At Margao we had a

short wait before the train arrived. At least this time the boards showed

what platform the train was arriving! While we waited we had a couple of

samosas each, they were 10R each and so tasty, nothing like you would taste

in the UK.

This time we were AC3 but we were lucky because along the sides of the carriage

there are 3 bunks each side and then at the end there is just 2 bunks, so

you have more room. During the day the bunks are not made up, and our 2 bunks

were folded down and there were 2 chairs and a table instead. There were 2

other Europeans in our compartment, along with an Indian family of 3. The

couple were German, Regina and Thomas. While I was dozing Martin started up

a conversation with them (of course!). We spent the remainder of the journey

comparing our experiences in India and quizzing each-other on life in our

respective countries! They, along with the Indian couple, were interested in

the riots in London and why they came about. It was depressing telling them that

most of the people involved had no incentive apart from opportunism. In Germany

they use water cannons readily during protests, we were told. We also talked

about patriotism and Regina told us that a minister in Germany had spoken about

being proud of being German in a speech and that this had been controversial.

People are still haunted by their past and feel ashamed. Perhaps this will change

in the next generation, as the last of that generation passes away. It was

interesting to find out that the Germans to do not know the word 'swastika', I

wonder where this word comes from. We have seen alot of these symbols here, they

are exactly the same, but here the swastika is a religious symbol, representing

luck.

About 4 hours in to a our journey, feeling quite comfortable and enjoying our trip,

4 more people got on. They had been on the waiting list and the conductor had

allocated them our seats! The only thing to do was suck it up and budge up! So we

had 12 people in a 8 person berth for 3 hours, but it was fine, cosy!

When we got to Hospet we jumped in a rickshaw and drove the half and hour to Hampi.

It was interesting driving through the villages, seperated by runied temples. When

we got to the riverwe had to get a small ferry 100 metres across the river to

where we were staying. On the ferry we hooked up with Thomas and regina again and we

walked with them to the guest house we had been recommended by Jon-Moghli.

We were told there was only one room available at the moment but another room would be

available at 6pm. So we locked all 4 of our bags in the room and settled down with a

beer. The setting for this guesthouse is absolutely incredible. From the restaurant

you see a paddy field, with odd palm tree throughout and the spots of orange flowers.

The field reaches down to the river which is backed by red hills covered in large

boulders and you can watch the sun set in this vista! There is a very chilled out

atmosphere, lots of people (mainly Israelis) lounging around or doing yoga, or other

hippy s**t!!

So we had some beers and a meal together and every so often went to check whether the

room was available. of course 6 o'clock actually meant 8 o'clock but who can

complain in this setting!